Booklist: Tough Issues for Teens

One afternoon in the bookstore, a young woman in her late teens approached me and said, "Excuse me. Can you help me? I want some books like . . . " She named a few teen fiction titles that dealt with drug abuse and anorexia. She looked slightly uncomfortable but mostly excited. I told her that I could recommend many good books. Within minutes, she was sitting on the floor in the teen fiction section, a plastic basket full to the brim with books, with additional titles in her hand and next to her knees and her feet.

We had a great discussion. I was happy on any levels: happy that she felt comfortable enough to come to me, happy that she was open-minded, happy that I got some realistic, well-written books in her hand. This urged me to make a list of books dealing tough issues - eating disorders, loss and grieving, addiction, abuse, and so forth.

Due to subject matter, many of these books are recommended for older teens as well as adults, be they parents, teachers, librarians, or simply avid readers.

I've read every title on this list, and have given each book a rating according to the United States movie rating guide - G, PG, PG-13, or R - based on content, and a number of stars - four being the best - based on quality (my personal opinion).

KIDNAPPINGThe Girl in the Box by Ouida Sebestyen - PG - ****Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott - PG-13 - ****You Are My Only by Beth Kephart - PG - ****Long Live the Queen by Ellen Emerson White - PG-13 - ****(Note: This is the third book in The President's Daughter series. Scroll down to the POLITICS list to see all of the titles in this line.)Missing Since Monday by Ann M. Martin - G - ***Jump the Cracks by Stacy DeKeyser - PG - ***The Janie series by Carolyn B. Cooney - PG - ***- The Face on the Milk Carton- Whatever Happened to Janie?- The Voice on the Radio- What Janie Found

I hope that this list helps readers of all ages find books they may be too shy to openly discuss with a bookseller or librarian. I want those readers to know they may leave a comment here and tell me which books they have found valuable. Most of all, I want them to know they can talk to their friends or adults they know in order to get the answers and help they may need.

If you would like for me to add more titles about a certain subject, or if you want more information about any of the books on the list, please leave a comment.

Comments

Thanks! I finally managed to dig up the discussion of this topic on a listserve a few years ago and found that someone who used to cut herself thought Cut a bit underwhelming. She mentioned Jaclyn Moriarity's Finding Cassie Crazy/The Year of Secret Assignments, which makes perfect sense to me now I've read it. Not a problem novel as such, but so funny *and* wise on the loss of a parent, recovery and even (with a subtle touch) on self-harm.